AEMO wants to be able to remotely switch off or constrain the output of new rooftop solar systems.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued a report laying out plans for how to manage the national energy grid up to 2025.

It says that as much as 75 per cent of Australia’s energy will be provided by wind and solar in coming years.

At certain points last year, South Australia has 64 per cent of its power demand met by rooftop solar alone.

AEMO says that figure could grow as high 85 per cent by 2025, and that rooftop solar will provide up to 66 per cent of Victoria’s needs, 57 per cent in Queensland and 48 per cent in New South Wales.

But there are issues growing alongside the popularity of rooftop solar. The systems pose challenges for the security of the grid, because they operates “behind-the-meter”, away from authorities’ control.

AEMO wants to impose requirements on new solar systems in South Australia that would give it “generation-shedding capabilities”, while encouraging other states and territories to adopt a similar approach.

The use of batteries might help, but AEMO wants the ability to remotely control panels as an essential “back-stop”.

“Australia already has the technical capability to safely operate a power system where three quarters of our energy at times comes from wind and solar energy generation,” AEMO's managing director Audrey Ziebelman says.

“However, to do so requires changes in our markets and regulatory requirements, otherwise, AEMO will be required to limit the contribution of these wind and solar resources to 50 or 60 per cent of electricity supply at any point in time, even though they are the lowest cost way of providing electricity.”

More details and recommendations are available in AEMO’s Renewable Integration Study (RIS).